Tire-protector.



R. G. FALCONER.

me PROTECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3.1916. 1,192,291 Patented July 25, 1916.Y

Wfl,

RDSWELL G. FALCONEB, 0F LITCHFIELD,OHIO.

TIRE-PROTECTOR.

4 Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led March 3, 1916. Serial No. 81,968. 1,

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RoswELL G. FnL- coNER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at VIiitchield, in the county of Medina and State ofOhio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tire-Protectors, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tire protectors, the object in view being toproduce a punctureand blow out-proof protector orl armor for pneumatictires, the said protector being flexible throughout and formed, with theexception 'of the fastening means, entirely of metal, the body of theprotector being composed of several series of plates or metallicsections having a novel arrangement with relation to each other for thepurpose of ad mitting of the necessary resiliency while avoiding anypossibility of flpunctures, the protector also forming an e cientsupport for a pneumatic tire which will prevent blow outs. Y i

A further object in view is to so combine the parts or sections of theprotector that they may be heasily replaced when broken or injured so asto be unfit for further use.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in thenovel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as hereindescribed, illustrated and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings Fi e 1 is a fragmentary side elevationillustrating a tire protector embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 isa similar view with parts broken away to show the inner and intermediatesections. Fig. 3 is a transverse section through a wheel rim andtire,showing the protector and fastening means therefor in accordancewith the present invention. Fig. 4 is a detail view illustrating the useof bolts in place of straps for fastening the protector in place.

The tire protector contemplated in this invention comprises an outerseries A of sheet metal sections, an inner series B of sheet metalsections and an intermediate series C of sheet metal sections.

Each of the sections 1 of the outer series is composed of a plate orstrip of suitable length wider at the center than at the ends thereof sothat when all the sections of the series are in their proper relation toeach other, the adjacent edges of the'sections lie substantiallyparallel to each other. Each of the inner sections 2 is formed in thesame manner and likewise each of the intermediate sections 3. The innerand outer sections are arranged in overlapping relation to each other soasto break joint as illustrated in the drawings and allow for a certainrelative movement of the inner and outer sections in the direction oflength of the tire without leaving any gap between the edges throughwhich a pointed object might reach the outer casing of the pneumatictire in con-' nection with which the protector as a whole is used. Eachof the intermediate sections 3 is provided about centrally thereof vandupon its outer face with a 4projecting rib 4 extending longitudinally ofsaid section and transversely with relation to the protector as a Whole,the said rib 4 lying between the adj acent edges of adjoining outersections 1.

Greater fiexibility is provided for the inter-` by bolts 8 or theirequivalent. v Each clip is preferably formed from a single piece ofsheet' metalv reduced in width at its center and bent about centrallyand folded upon itself in such manner as to form a loop 9. vThis loopreceives the bar 10 of a link 11 which, therefore, has a pivotalconnection with the respective clip. The links are arranged oppositeeach other, 11 designating a strap passing throughl said links andadapted to pass around the vinside of the fellyV for the purpose ofsecuring the protector in place around the tire. In lieu of straps, bolts 12 may be inserted through the clips, said bolts resting againstthe inner face of the felly. Ordinarily, six or eight of such fasteningdevices are suflicient to secure the protector in its proper positionand relation to the tire.

When the protector is in its vapplied position and relation to the tire,it presents an all metal surface with transversely extending ribs, theseribs to ether with the nuts or heads of the bolts otaining a vgoodtractive 0n the Pneu] N11-'Farm 'P110 'navi-inw.

Patented July l25, `l1916.

los

lar function of the ribs above described is to prevent pointed articles'such as nails and the like from becoming jammed under the edges of theouter sections 1 and finally working their way inwardly until they reachthe pneumatic tlre casing.' The ribs also serve to properly osition theouter sections in relation to eac other .during the assemblage of thesections of the protector and thereafter.

Having-thus claim A. protector vfor pneumatic tires consisting of anannular flexible body'comprising an inner circular series ofsheet metalsections, an outer circular series of sheet metal l ribed my invention,I

sections which overlap and break joint with the outer sections. anyintermediate circular series of sheet metal sections each formed on itsouter face with a projecting rib extending lengthwise thereof andtransversely of the protector body and lying between the adjacent edgesof adjoining outer sections, all of the sections of the three seriesextending transversely of the tire, fasteners inserted through theoverlapping portions of the several series of sections, and means 'forsecuring the protector as a whole in place upon a tire.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

Ros-WELL G. FALcoNER. Witnesses JOHN S. GoU'GH, DAVID P. SIMMONS.

Copies ot this patent` may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents,

i Washington, D. C.

